In situ characterisation of mechanically-induced self-propagating reactions

Transparent quartz vials were employed for a direct viewing of ignition and propagation phenomena in combustion-like reactions under milling. Combustion temperatures were measured from infrared light emission by two-colours pyrometers. Such a methodological approach allowed one the in situ characterisation of the self-propagating behaviour of a variety of carbides and silicides. Experimental combustion temperatures close to the theoretically calculated adiabatic ones were observed for the reaction which goes to completion within millisecond period.